Top: Bendu Sonii received US$120,000 from Mano Palm Oil Industries as damages for an accident that left her with one leg. The DayLight/Harry Browne
By Matenneh Keita and Harry Browne
BALLAH’S TOWN, Grand Cape Mount County – A woman, who lost a leg in an accident involving a Mano Palm Oil Industries vehicle, received US$120,000 for damages.
In May last year, a Mano vehicle swerved off the Babangida Highway and hit Bendu Sonii, a casual laborer with the Lebanese-owned company. Doctors at the St. Joseph Catholic Hospital amputated Sonii’s right leg, which was severely injured in the accident.
After recovery, the 42-year-old mother of eight continued to receive her US$70 or US$80 wage and four 25-kilogram bags of rice. However, that changed after she won the lawsuit against her employer for damages.
“The money Mano gave was US$120,000. I brought it and turned it over to [Sonii],” said Sensee Johnson, the victim’s fiancé. “We took off the expenses that were made, and the balance was saved in the bank.”
The payment is a soothing twist in a sad story.
In an interview on her hospital bed two months later, a distressed Sonii could not hold back tears. She continued that mood even after she was discharged from the hospital, ruing a bleak future.
Not long after her story was published, Sonii found a lawyer and sued Mano at the 11th Judicial Circuit Court in Tubmanburg, Bomi County.
She petitioned the court for US$1.45 million in damages for wrong, personal injury and emotional distress, court records show. However, she reached an out-of-court settlement with the Lebanese-owned company for the eventual amount.
Having received the payment, Sonii praised the justice system, her spouse and journalists for the victory.
“I tell God thank you for the situation that came to me between me and Mano Oil Palm Plantation. The law was there to fight my case, and today I have become successful.
“It was difficult but thank God the laws of Liberia were there for me during the court process.
“My husband was there and also [The DayLight] too fought. All of you were there for me,” added Sonii at her home in Ballah’s Town, Grand Cape Mount County.
Mano did not speak on the settlement. Richard Hilton, the company’s communication officer, promised to grant an interview but evaded reporters.
Additional reporting by Gabriel Parker in Tubmanburg, Bomi County.
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